To All of Our Clergy and CREs
in Honor of Pastor Appreciation Month
Our God has sent you to this place
To lead us in the way
That He would have us work and think
And live from day to day.
No matter the hour; whatever the need,
You go the extra mile -
Always ready and willing to share
A comforting thought and a smile.
We're grateful that you're here with us
To teach us from His word,
And we will try to do our best
In service of our Lord.
We thank you for your ministry,
Your guidance and your care.
His greatest blessings for your life
Is our most humble prayer.
Author Unknown (from Christian Poems of Appreciation)
|
We Lift Up In Prayer...
 The Rev. Dr. David Robertson (Midland-Memorial) on his recent diagnosis of cancer. David will soon begin chemo treatments.
The Rev. Dr. Rhonda Myers (Midland-Chapel Lane) and the Rev. Dave Myers (Tawas) and their congregations on Rhonda's diagnosis of cancer. She has begun chemo treatments. (Rhonda has set up a CaringBridge page to make it easier to update everyone. Please click here for more information.) Dave is recouping from surgery on a torn bicep tendon.
The Rev. Dr. Steve Shugert, Honorably Retired, who is recovering from open heart surgery.
The congregation of Davison-St. Andrews who recently welcomed their new Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Ed Borycz.
Karen Banaszak, Certified Christian Educator and her loved ones, Karen has been experiencing significant health issues for some time now. MS has taken its toll on her heart and lungs.
Rebecca Francek, Inquirer Under Care of the Presbytery continues to experience significant health issues.
Cynthia Bolbach, Moderator of the 219th General Assembly who continues her battle against cancer.
We encourage everyone to send a card or e-mail or make a phone call to those listed. Sometimes a small gesture creates a big smile. Contact information for anyone on this list may be obtained by calling the presbytery office at 800-621-6905 or 989-799-7481 For those Teaching Elders (Ministers of Word and Sacrament) and Commissioned Ruling Elders (CREs) who are celebrating Ordination or Commissioning Anniversaries in October and November: The Rev. Marjorie Ackerman (10/10) - Pastor of Deckerville-First The Rev. Tom Cundiff (11/27) - Pastor of Saginaw-Warren Avenue The Rev. Joungnam Lee (10/12) - Pastor of Flint-Unity The Rev. Wally Mayton (10/1) - Associate Pastor of Midland-Memorial The Rev. Carol Miller (10/8) - Honorably Retired Elder Charles Moerdyk (10/1) - Commissioned Ruling Elder of Rosebush The Rev. Dave Myers (10/10) - Interim Pastor of Tawas Elder Chris Wolf (11/14) - Commissioned Ruling Elder of Marlette-First and Marlette-Second For our congregations and their leaders: Sandusky, The Rev. Mike Wilson, Supply Pastor; The Rev. Ken Hetzel, Moderator of Session Swartz Creek-Mundy, Elder Gloria Watson, Commissioned Ruling Elder Tawas-Tawas Area, The Rev. Dave Myers, Interim Pastor; The Rev. Janice Chambers, Pastor Emerita Twining-Maple Ridge, Katherine Rowe, Supply Pastor Ubly-First, The Rev. Ron Grimes, Moderator of Session Vassar-First, The Rev. Clint Cozier, Interim Pastor Yale-First, The Rev. Jim Offrink, Supply Pastor |
Saginaw-First Celebrates 175 Years
|
 | |
Photo from wnem.com
|
Saginaw-First Receives State Historical Marker
The congregation of Saginaw-First recently celebrated their 175th anniversary and the State of Michigan recognized their history and significance with a historical marker.
The church had humble beginnings in a carpenter shop on what is now North Michigan Avenue and Ames Street. The congregation built a white clapboard church at the current site in 1852, it was the first permanent religious building in the city.
A group of church members applied for the plaque through the Historical Society of Michigan. They had to submit paperwork, newspaper articles and photos.
The Castle Museum in Saginaw will feature an exhibit about the historic church this winter.
Congratulations to the Rev. Dr. Robert Emrich, the staff and members of First Presbyterian Church of Saginaw.
Click here to read the story on wnem.com. |
 Saginaw-Second Hosting Vendors Bazaar
Saginaw-Second will be hosting a Vendors Bazaar on November 3 from 9:00am to 3:00pm. Admission is $1.00. Vendors include: Pampered Chef, Arbonne, Longaberger Baskets, Tupperware, Soap, Scentsy, Soy candles, Books and many more. Get your Christmas shopping started early and join them on November 3rd! |
 Free Choir Robes Available
There are 20 dark green robes and 23 light green (and light weight) choir robes available to any church who would like them. They belonged to the Korean American Church of the Bible in Grand Blanc that closed in May. If you are interested, please contact CJ Merriman at (810) 441-0444 or [email protected].
|
| The Big Tent Is Coming in 2013 |
 Save The Dates
Big Tent 2013 is coming to Louisville August 1-3, 2013 Planning is underway for Big Tent 2013 which is expected to feature the: - Evangelism and Church Growth Conference
- Healthy Ministries Conference
- National Elders Conference
- National Multicultural Church Conference
- Presbyterian Communicators Network Conference
- World Mission Conference
- Racial Ethnic and Immigrants Convocation
More information will be announced as it becomes available. |
 New Resources Available
The Resource Center has several new items for your use. New items include: The Presbyterian Deacon: An Essential Guide by Earl S. Johnson, Jr. This is a sourcebook for the role of the deacon in the PC(USA). Includes a discussion of the use of the word "deacon" in Scripture and in the Book of Order, as well as discussion questions. Click 2 Save: The Digital Ministry Bible by Elizabeth Drescher and Keith Anderson This book explores the major digital social media and how churches can make effective use of them. Includes many examples, practical suggestions, worksheets and reflective questions. Open to Me the Gates by Gradye Parsons A 6-session study that considers six biblical stories about gates. These places of entry can be metaphors for our relationship with God and for Christian beliefs and practices. Includes study guide. Committed to Christ: Six Steps to a Generous Life by Bob Crossman A six-week stewardship program that presents giving as a lifelong journey in Christian discipleship. The six steps are: prayer, Bible reading, worship, witness, financial giving, and service. Kit includes program guide with CD, adult study book, small group leader guide, DVD with worship videos, and devotional material. A complete listing can be found on the Resource Center page of our website. |
 Show Your Appreciation
Our beloved Treasurer/Office Manager, Andrea Drapp will be retiring very soon. Andrea has been our presbytery's good and faithful servant for 36 years. She will be greatly missed by all of us.
We will be honoring Andrea and her service to the presbytery at the December meeting. At that time we will present her with a book containing letters of appreciation for her dedication, kindness, hospitality, friendship and hard work over the years If you would like to write a letter to be included in the book, please either e-mail it to Rose Onan or send a hard copy to her attention to the presbytery office. |
 New Parish Papers Available
The latest editions of the Parish Paper are now available on our website. The November topic is: How to Maintain Church Health in a Declining Population County The December topic is: How to Use Our Five Senses to Experience the Wonder of Advent All of the editions for 2012 can be found on the Parish Paper page of our website. You are welcomed and encouraged to distribute these, however, please be sure to read the copyright information prior to doing so. |
 New Clergy Scholarship Application
A revised application has been posted on the Documents and Forms page on our webpage for clergy and CRE's seeking scholarships for study leave. Any requests for funding must be submitted using this form. You will find the form under the Financial Information section. |
Happenings Around The PC(USA)
|
 Happy anniversary, Presbyterian Church of Korea!
Presbyterian delegation travels to Korea for 100th anniversary celebration
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) values its historic relationships with global partner churches. Our partnership with Korea has lasted for more than a century. A delegation of about 20 PC(USA) leaders, including Presbyterian World Mission Director Hunter Farrell and Asia Office Area Coordinator Mienda Uriarte, traveled to Korea in September to help celebrate the Presbyterian Church of Korea's 100th anniversary. PC(USA) Moderator Neal Presa preached in Seoul at Hong Kwang Presbyterian Church. The PC(USA) delegation also toured the Presbyterian College and Theological Seminary there.
Find Presbyterian mission co-workers in South Korea and North Korea and support them with your prayers and financial gifts. Learn more about the history of Presbyterian mission in South Korea and North Korea.
LHPs own, the Rev. Matthew Schramm, Pastor of Bay City-Westminster, was part of the delegation that traveled to Korea.
|
 Find Navigating Tips For PC(USA) Websites
The General Assembly Mission Council has a new name - the Presbyterian Mission Agency - but it is the same collection of people, ministries, and tools in support of individual members, leaders, congregations, and missions across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). As one of six agencies, we will continue to partner with the other agencies to work ecumenically and missionally to fulfill the call to nurture disciples and minister to a hungry world.
If the name change is confusing where PC(USA) web addresses are concerned, a few tips may help you navigate the wealth of pages and find the information you need. The website address of the denomination continues to be pcusa.org. This site links to all six agencies through a red tab on the left side of the main page. You can find topic-specific pages by adding a forward slash at the end of the web address, followed by the word representing that topic if you know it. A few examples include pcusa.org/curriculum, pcusa.org/worship, pcusa.org/point, pcusa.org/resourcecenters, and pcusa.org/education. You do not need to remember longer URLs to be directed to a page.
If you go directly to the Presbyterian Mission Agency website at presbyterianmission.org, it works the same way. Add a forward slash followed by the topic word. You will be redirected to the specific page without entering the complete web address.
Tabs at the top of the PC(USA) and Presbyterian Mission Agency main pages are also great navigation tools. Use the Shop the Church Store tab on either main page to easily find resources for sale, or click on the Subscriptions tab on the Presbyterian Mission Agency page to subscribe to e-newsletters. The global search window on either main page is helpful if you know the exact title or specific resource you want to download. If not, it may be more helpful to start with the shortcut to a specific ministry area.
You will find links for agencies and ministry areas at the side, top, or bottom of the main pages. Use the Mission & Ministry tab at the top of the Presbyterian Mission Agency page for mission areas specific to this agency.
|
Graduate Theological School Fair at Alma College
Representatives of eight graduate schools will be present to share information about their programs. Members of the presbytery who are considering further education for ministry are welcome to attend to learn more about graduate theological schools.
|
 | | Students build a Habitat for Humanity home in Punta Gorda, Fla. |
Service Over Self
For the past 10 years, many Alma College students have voluntarily devoted their academic breaks to serving others while learning about social issues and experiencing local culture.
Since the first trip in 2003 to build a Habitat for Humanity home in Boca Raton, more than 940 Alma College students have volunteered for the Alternative Breaks Program, performing more than 28,000 hours of service with 31 service partners.
In most cases, the students choose to spend their week long winter break serving individuals and communities in need, such as families who lost their homes in hurricane-ravaged Louisiana or the urban homeless at soup kitchens in Washington, D.C.
"Alternative Breaks is a national movement on college and university campuses that has grown through word-of-mouth by students eager to do something meaningful on their academic breaks," says Sallie Scheide, assistant director of the Center for Responsible Leadership.
"These are diverse opportunities for students that broaden their educational experience outside of the classroom and inspire lifelong active citizenship," says Scheide. "Students serve, learn about social issues and then return to apply their enthusiasm for serving others in their local communities."
Last year, Alma College ranked third in the nation in the percentage of students - 8.2 percent - that participated in alternative break service trips, according to....continue reading.
|
Help Feed Those Need While Learning
Do you have kids in your life who like to play word games or could use a little help with their vocabulary? Do you like to help others in a fun and free way? Then check out the site FreeRice.com. For each answer you get right, they donate 10 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Programme to help end hunger. It adds up fast!
|
|
 Connect With Other Churches In The Lake Huron Presbytery
There are so many wonderful things going on in all of our congregations. Several of our churches have set up Facebook pages to help spread the good news not only to their members but to all who may be interested. Liking other church Facebook pages is a great way to connect with others in the presbytery and to share ideas with each other. Here are some of the churches that have Facebook pages:
Alma-First
Bay City-Memorial
Bay City-Westminster
Caro-First
Deckerville-First
Flint-First
Grand Blanc-Kirkridge
Holly (Open page; they still have a private group page)
Ithaca-First (Brand new page!)
Lapeer-First
Linden
Midland-Chapel Lane
Midland-Memorial
Mt. Pleasant (New open page; they still have a private group page)
Saginaw-Second
Saginaw-Warren Avenue
Sandusky
Vassar-First
Others have group pages that you have to request to join. Those include:
Holly
Mt. Pleasant-First
If your congregation has a page and it is not listed here, please contact Staci Percy at [email protected]. |
 'Like' Us On Facebook
The presbytery has a Facebook page and would like you to join us. Get updates and information faster. Connect with others to share ideas and to post information about events happening in your congregation. Join us today! |
|
Staci Percy
Communications Manager/Recording Clerk
[email protected]
989-799-7481 x2
|
|
|
|
About the
Bi-Weekly Brief
Hundreds of elders, educators, and church leaders read the Presbytery of Lake Huron's email sent out every other week.
You can reissue or modify this content for your own church bulletin or newsletter, without crediting the Bi-Weekly Brief, but please credit any organizations, photographers, etc, that we credited.
Upcoming Meetings
and Events
(All meetings are at the Presbytery Office unless otherwise noted)
|
Coordinating Team
October 10
10:00am
Nominating Team
October 18
9:00am
Personnel Team
October 29
10:00am
| |
Details on these meetings can be found on the presbytery's website on the calendar.
|
|
|
| |
Better together
'Dallas II' consultation maps out mission approaches to poverty, evangelism and violence
Knowing Jesus
If Good News is shared, evangelism is effective, Russian Roma pastor says
|
|
|
